Remembering those lost

This Memorial Day we remember all the soldiers who have given their lives for our country.

Happy Birthday, Kandi and Artie!

Earlier this week, my Aunt Kandi broke the double digit barrier when she turned 10 years young! Thanks to her Mom − a faithful fan and follower of Newman's Notes−I am able to share these photos of the occasion.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Kandi!

View Ch. Katandy's Kandy at Wits End during her show career! I believe it was after she retired from the ring that she changed the spelling of her name to Kandi. It's probably a woman-thing.

Just in from another one of our faithful fans came this picture of King Arthur, Kandi's brother who also turned ten last week! Happy Birthday, Artie!

Let's go Flyers!

Roger "The Rock" gets ready for the Flyers to take on the Canadiens in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Roger "The Rock" ready for face off

"The Rock's" jersey

Hellfire and Dalmatians

Although there are no Dalmatians in our pack, I found this cartoon especially appropriate after the hail storm that we endured last Friday.

Being that I survived a severe hail storm earlier in my life, I could tell when "all hell was going to break loose!" Coverage of my first storm can be seen at Puparazzi catches chilling storm on film.

As you can see from the video, Roger and I are seasoned storm watchers — a trait we inherited from both our Dad, who loves to sit on the front porch and watch thunderstorms roll in, and our Mom, who loves to track blizzards hoping for a day off work. At the end of August, we also start watching any hurricanes developing in the Atlantic that could impact our annual two-week trek to the OBX.

Besides this hail storm and a relatively harmless blizzard this past winter, Thelma Lou is oblivious to the perils of drastic weather. Mom is hoping that her meteorologist friend might be able to take Thelma under his wing and shed some light on the importance of being aware of severe weather. After all, he has studied weather all over the world, including Antarctica. That must have really been hard! Another freakin' freezin' cold day out there. Be sure to bundle up.

While predicting weather may not be an exact science, you'd think that they could pinpoint their predictions a little better than — 50% chance of rain — 50% chance of no rain. To think that these fortune-telling scientists get paid for their predictions baffles my mind.

Happy Mother's Day

Feeling a little inquisitive today, I posed the age old question to Roger and Thelma: If April showers bring May flowers what do May flowers bring? Here were their responses:

Roger: Duh, that's a no brainer. Mayflowers bring Pilgrims, of course.

Thelma: I beg to differ. April showers bring May flowers which are given on Mother's Day! Final answer: May flowers bring Mother's Day.

 Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful "mums" out there.

Query: Why are "mums" considered fall flowers when Mother's Day is in spring? Go figure.

Busy Beavers

I apologize for my lack of blogging lately. Exactly one month between postings is completely unacceptable. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day and blogging has had to take a back burner to more pressing activities. For instance, we have been busy baking and begging in an effort to further my philanthropic work with Adopt a Boxer Rescue. Mom and I built this wishing well to collect donations for AABR during Potomac Boxer Club's Spring Specialty show held April 24, 2010. We are pleased to announce that PBC raised $200 to help our less fortunate, four-legged furry friends.

Boxer Wishing Well on display at Spring Specialty

Since spring has sprung, Dad and I have been busy working in the gardens making them attractive for our fine feathered friends − the Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Our first siting was last Thursday, April 29. I'm not so sure that my little sister, Thelma Lou − or Spoon Head as Dad often calls her − is going to have a green paw like I do. Over the weekend, for example, she ripped out all the candy corn plants that Dad planted either because she didn't like them or she has such a passion for planting that she thought she'd rip them out so that she could watch him replant them.

Speaking of outdoors, Mom and I are going overnight camping with our Dog Scout Troop on June 5. Last Saturday we had orientation on how to be responsible campers, leaving no trace behind. Part of the instruction included learning how to pee and poop in the woods which I demonstrated without a problem. Having my requisite three "poop bags" in my backpack, Mom was readily able to clean up after me when I made a deposit on the trail. Unfortunately, she placed the bagged treasure in the back of Barbie, the Chevy Malibu, and forgot about it for nearly two days. As you can imagine, after two day of baking in the hot sun, the aroma made for a very nostril-opening experience when she entered the car Monday morning.

Newman models his Outward Hound Backpack

In addition to learning how to start a fire with one match, we learned about digging cat holes. Dad tried to tell me that  you dig cat holes to bury cats − that the only good cat was a buried cat. But Scout Master Ann explained the real definition of  a cat hole − what humans need to dig to properly bury their excrement so as to leave no trace of the behind behind! Thanks, Ann, for the proper explanation. I've buried my little brother Roger in the sand, purely out of brotherly love, but I think that burying a cat on our upcoming trip might hinder my chances of earning my camping badge.

Roger in a Rage

Tribute to a very special lady

It is with very heavy heart that I tell you that this past week I lost a dear boxer friend – Ch. Amity Hall's Rock the Casbah, CGC and TT – or as her family and friends knew her – Cassye. Although I really only got to know Cassye during the past year or so, I consider myself very fortunate to have been her friend.

Cassye exhibited the finest characters of the boxer breed. Affectionate and alert. Playful and protective. Charismatic and caring. That was Cassye in a nutshell.

Cassye looks out for her family

Cassye entices her granddaughter Peanut to have a little fun

Cassye was a great momma – even to puppies that weren't her own. Last fall she "mothered" a litter of rescue puppies that Aunt Beth was fostering for Adopt a Boxer Rescue. She was a great comfort to the baby boxers in need, allowing them to nurse and keeping them clean.

Foster Mom Cassye cares for AABR pups

Cassye was known to keep more than puppies clean, too. Mom "camped out" with her and Aunt Beth for a  couple of nights and Cassye was more than happy to share her bed with Mom, so long as she cleaned Mom's face with tons of boxer-dog kisses before bedtime. When Mom returned home the next day, she was still covered in boxer spit from compassionate Cassye's kisses.

Camper Queen Cassye at Centre Hall (July 2009)

Cassye was a true champion in the ring. She even kicked my butt at ten years old in Easton, MD by participating in the Veteran's Class and bringing home a ribbon.

Cassye in the Parade of Champions at ABC (May 2003)

Party Animal Cassye at 10 years young

Thanks for all the joy you brought to so many people throughout your life. You truly were a very special boxer and will never be forgotten. My little Peanut sure has a tough act to follow, but at least she was fortunate enough to have had you as a maternal mentor the first couple years of her life.

"Momma" Cassye snuggles with AABR foster puppy

Rest in Peace, Cassye. You did a wonderful job "mothering" here on Earth. Now you can comfort all the puppies at the Rainbow Bridge who have gone before you — exhibiting all the beautiful characteristics of the angel you truly are.